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Spooks: Complete BBC Series 6 [2002]

starring: Peter Firth, Rupert Penry-Jones, Hermione Norris, Raza Jaffrey, Hugh Simon

October 06, 2008
Riveting television, Spooks 6 is must see spy on spy action. Directors, writers and actors are all masters of the art of rising tension. Shifting alliances, plot reversals and twist upon twist, this is the best thriller series I've seen for a long time hands down.

What I love about this show is just when you think you've got each episode pinned, bang, something comes along to turn your prediction on its head. Wonderful performances from the central cast as well, but one to watch of the 'drop ins' is Agni Scott who plays Ana Bakhshi the wife of the Iranian Ambassador. She is heartbreakingly good. Do yourself a favour and watch this.

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Persuasion : Complete ITV Adaptation [2007]

starring: Sally Hawkins, Rupert Penry-Jones, Anthony Head, Alice Krige, Tobias Menzies
directed by: Adrian Shergold

April 02, 2007
I watched all of ITV's 2007 season of Austen adaptations and this one stood out from the very indifferent others in that season by a long mile, primarily because of the performances from the lead actors. I bought it, watched it again, loved it again and then came here to see what others thought of it only to find that the consensus was generally in favour of the 1995 Ciaran Hinds / Amanda Root version, which I had not seen.

So, I bought that too and loved that too. To be honest, I can't back a clear winner between them. The earlier version is 'purer' for purists but I think Penry-Jones and especially the amazing Sally Hawkins make it a photo-finish between both versions and I wouldn't part with either version now.

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Spooks : Complete BBC Series 5 [2007] [2002]

starring: Peter Firth, Rupert Penry-Jones, Raza Jaffrey
directed by: Omar Madha;Julian Simpson;Andy Hay

September 10, 2007
You can try to compare Spooks to US series like 24 but for me Spooks is on a whole different level to 24. After a few short series 24 is starting to go stale with the same kind of plots being played out season after season. The explosions get bigger but the bottom line is still the same. Spooks on the other hand seems to go from strength to strength with every passing season. Yes there are only 10 episodes per season but that gives you some idea of the amount of thought that goes into every episode. I think the reason Spooks gets stronger with every episode is because it doesn't rely on the explosions and gun-battles that 24 does to make an impact. Spooks relies on it's storyline, some fantastic acting and so much realism that you actually finish an episode ... Read More:

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Casanova

starring: Peter O'Toole, David Tennant, Rose Byrne, Rupert Penry-Jones, Laura Fraser

May 23, 2005
This is a hugely enjoyable, stylish, witty retelling of the Casanova story. As it was written by Russel T Davies it goes without saying that the script is fabulous and the story cracks along at a wonderful pace. David Tennant is utterly faultless as a funny, likeable and very human Casanova, quite unlike the roistering, wham-bam beefcake image of Casanova we've been used to. A total triumph. You must buy this.

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Cambridge Spies : Complete BBC Series [2003]

starring: Tom Hollander, Samuel West, Rupert Penry-Jones, Toby Stephens, Jenna Harrison
directed by: Tim Fywell

June 02, 2003
I watched this after reading The Company: A Novel of the CIA by Robert Littell, which follows a similar theme and includes the same group of people. Must say this is an excellent DVD, excellent acting and everything else that has already been mentioned!

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Charlotte Gray [2001]

starring: Cate Blanchett, Billy Crudup, Michael Gambon, Rupert Penry-Jones, Anton Lesser
directed by: Gillian Armstrong

September 17, 2007
I watched this after reading The Company: A Novel of the CIA by Robert Littell, which follows a similar theme and includes the same group of people. Must say this is an excellent DVD, excellent acting and everything else that has already been mentioned!

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Joe's Palace (BBC)

starring: Danny Lee Wynter, Michael Gambon, Rupert Penry-Jones, Kelly Reilly, Rebecca Hall
directed by: Stephen Poliakoff

November 05, 2007
I thought this was beautiful to look at and listen to. The same sort of background music is used in 'Perfect strangers' and 'Shooting the Past'. The characters tend to talk in the same precise way as in all the Poliakoff
productions, that I have seen anyway. That is something I have also noticed with adaptions of John Le Carre's works. Is that useful ? maybe not.

I thought Danny Lee Wynter was fascinating as Joe, a likable sort of innocent, though not so innocent as he may seem. Not as slow either. I also liked Rebecca Hall, who brought a witty touch to it. Rupert Penry-Jones and Kelly Reilly provide the eye candy, and are also very good.

Needless to say, Michael Gambon was superb.

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Spooks: Complete BBC Series 1-5 (Exclusive to Amazon.co.uk)

starring: Peter Firth, Rupert Penry-Jones, Raza Jaffrey, Omar Madha, Khalid Laith

December 03, 2007
Nice to have all five series together, even if overpriced, but is it me or is the series getting a bit tired? Like so many good series they seem to be trying too hard as time goes on, with more and more farfetched plots; think the last series of Ally Macbeal for example.

As an aside, I don't expect realism from this sort of series but I would hope that MI5 has somewhat more than the skeleton staff portrayed here, with 5-6 people to save the country each week.

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Spooks: Complete BBC Series 1-6 [2002]

starring: Peter Firth, Rupert Penry-Jones, Raza Jaffrey, Omar Madha, Hermione Norris

October 06, 2008
Why oh why Amazon, is the box set of Spooks 1 - 6 nearly £25.00 cheaper than the boxed set 1 - 5?

Your paying more, and loosing out on a series? Not Big, Not Clever! Pretty stupid marketing actually, especially as it's cheaper to get all the series individually too!Spooks: Complete BBC Series 1-6 [2002]

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Krakatoa The Last Days [2006]

by: Krakatoa
starring: Rupert Penry-Jones

August 14, 2006
Why oh why Amazon, is the box set of Spooks 1 - 6 nearly £25.00 cheaper than the boxed set 1 - 5?

Your paying more, and loosing out on a series? Not Big, Not Clever! Pretty stupid marketing actually, especially as it's cheaper to get all the series individually too!Spooks: Complete BBC Series 1-6 [2002]